Tips on Choosing and Preparing to Install a Ceiling Fan

January 23, 2012

As I mentioned last week, one of my Home Goals for 2012 was to change two of the ceiling fans in my home. Wellll… I can now give a 1/2 checkmark to that task because due to being slightly house-bound during the early hours on Saturday, the mister and I took the opportunity to update the fan in our master bedroom (the one in the family room will hopefully be done soon, which will give a full cross-off-the-list mark). And can I say, I am a happy gal!

I’ll spare you the details on how to actually install a fan, but will share some tips and helpful hints for what to do before and during the process of installing a ceiling fan.

When you head to the store (or search online) to choose a ceiling fan, you’re going to see lots of options! Not all fans are made the same. There are different size fans for different sized spaces. Some fans have lights, others don’t. Some are decorative, others are very simple.

When choosing a style, keep these tips in mind:

1. Choose the right fan for your space – Depending on the height and size of a room, there are different types of ceiling fans that fit best. Take a look at this chart to see what will work best for you.

2. Choose the right size for your space – Ceiling fans are available in different sizes depending on the square footage of the space. My master bedroom is about 200 square foot, so I decided on a medium size fan that is 44″. For my family room, I’ll need to use a large fan because it’s about 300 square feet. Choosing the right fan for the appropriate square footage is important to achieve maximum comfort and air efficiency.

3. Choose the right downrod for your space – If you have higher ceilings, you may need a longer downrod for your ceiling fan, which are usually sold separately. Take a look at this chart to determine the size downrod needed for your ceiling.

If you have a sloped ceiling, which is the condition for the fan that we will eventually put in our family room, you will want to make sure that you have enough clearance for the fan blades. Take a look at this diagram.

Need to determine the angle of your ceiling to purchase the correct downrod? Use this calculation:

Before Installation

Once you’ve selected the best fan for your space, there are a few tips to keep in mind before the installation.

1. Have the right support – If you are replacing a fan or installing a completely new fan, it’s incredibly important to have the right structural support and outlet box. Because of the weight and the constant, rigorous movement of a ceiling fan, the support brace is vital. To learn more about the proper way to install a support brace, read this informative article.

2. Read ALL of the instructions – And THEN read them again! There are alot of steps and even though hanging a ceiling fan isn’t difficult, it’s very involved and there are many parts!

3. Lay out ALL of the parts – It’s important to remove all the parts from the box and compare what’s included with the instructions, as well as seeing everything laid out. Because the ceiling fan in our bedroom is directly over the bed, I put a sheet down over the bedding and then laid out all the various parts and pieces – and there were ALOT!

4. Alot enough time – The estimated amount of time shown in the instruction booklet was 120 minutes and I would agree, it took about 1-1/2 to 2 hours for the complete installation. Rushing to complete the project will only result in something going wrong.

Installing a ceiling fixture can truly change the look of a room and I am so happy with this simple and fairly easy update that went…

Do you plan on updating a ceiling fan in your home? What goals have you accomplished so far in 2012?